Is There A Link Between Heartburn And Gas?

Heartburn and gas can occur together. Although one does not cause the other, they may make each other worse. Certain underlying conditions can potentially cause both heartburn and gas. In these cases, treating the underlying condition will help relieve both the gas and heartburn.

A person can have heartburn or gas independently of each other. This is because the two conditions have different causes, even though they both relate to digestive processes and issues.

However, making lifestyle changes to prevent heartburn can also help prevent excessive gas.

Read on to learn more about heartburn and gas, including how to prevent and treat them.

WHAT IS HEARTBURN?

Heartburn occurs as a symptom of acid reflux. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, up to 20 percent of people in the United States have a chronic form of acid reflux called gastroesophageal reflux disease.

When acid from the stomach pushes up into the food pipe, it can cause a burning pain in the chest. For some people, this sensation may feel like a symptom of a heart attack

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People experience heartburn in different ways, but some of the common sensations include:

burning or pain in the chest

burning that may move up the throat

a tightening sensation in the throat and chest

sharp pain in the chest

For some people, heartburn may present as pain behind the breastbone. For others, it may feel like pain or burning higher in the throat.

Heartburn is common after eating meals. A person may trigger heartburn by lying down or bending over shortly after eating. Some common triggers of heartburn include:

heavy, fatty foods

spicy foods

coffee

alcohol

acidic foods, such as tomatoes

In addition, some risk factors make a person more likely to experience heartburn, including:

smoking

obesity

pregnancy

Some medications can also increase the risk of heartburn, such as:

antidepressants

some medications for high blood pressure

antihistamines

certain drugs for treating asthma

WHAT IS GAS?

Brussels sprouts can cause gas.

Gas is a natural part of the digestive process. A person passes gas several times per day through either the rectum or mouth.

Gas can become trapped in the digestive tract due to swallowing or the breakdown of the food as it passes through the large intestine.

Bacteria in the large intestine are responsible for the smell of flatulence.

As undigested food moves through the digestive tract, bacteria in the large intestine help break it down further. Foods that the body cannot digest give the bacteria more to break down, and they produce stronger-smelling gas as they consume the food.

People may experience gas from eating different foods. A type of food that causes one person to have gas may not cause any issues in another person.

However, some foods are more likely to cause a person to produce excess gas.

WHY HEARTBURN AND GAS MAY OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME

Gas and heartburn are not always connected directly. However, it is possible for the two to exist together and make each other worse. It is also possible for a person to manage them in a similar way.

One common cause of heartburn and gas is eating too much too quickly. Eating large amounts of food in one sitting can trigger heartburn, while eating quickly may cause a person to swallow more air, resulting in gas.

Drinking fizzy alcoholic drinks, such as beer, can also cause both conditions to co-occur.

Relieving gas through belching can cause heartburn to worsen. The release of air when someone passes gas either during or immediately after a meal can cause more acid to rise in the throat. If this occurs, a person may experience heartburn.

TREATMENT AND HOME REMEDIES

People can treat heartburn directly with a couple of different types of medication that are available on prescription or over the counter (OTC).

Medications for heartburn include:

Antacids, which offer quick relief for heartburn.

H2 blockers, which block the amount of acid that a person’s stomach produces. Some examples include famotidine (Pepcid) and ranitidine (Zantac).

Proton pump inhibitors, which are longer-lasting medications that act in a similar way to H2 blockers. Examples include omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid).

There are fewer medications to treat gas. Antacids do not typically prevent or treat gas. Instead, a person can try the following drugs:

Simethicone, commonly known as Gas-X or Mylanta, which helps break down gas in the digestive tract.

Alpha-galactosidase products, such as Beano, which help the body break down the carbohydrates in vegetables and beans.

Lactase supplements, such as Lactaid, which help the body digest milk-based products.

Some people claim that activated charcoal may help as a home remedy for gas. Charcoal is potentially safe to consume, but it can stain clothes and teeth. It may also prevent certain medications from being effective.

Some people may also have success using home remedies for heartburn. Some potential remedies to try include:

standing up after consuming a meal or a large amount of food

wearing loose-fitting clothing

raising the upper body when lying down

adding ginger to meals or drinks as a spice or taking supplements

eating licorice

drinking a mixture of baking soda and water to reduce the acid

People should check with their doctor before trying the baking soda remedy. It is also worth noting that these remedies may not work for everyone.

PREVENTION

Preventing gas, heartburn, or both may often involve making lifestyle changes. A person can generally prevent both heartburn and gas by:

eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day

eating slowly

avoiding heavy, greasy foods

avoiding known trigger foods, such as milk, beans, and spicy foods

limiting alcohol intake

stopping smoking

eating a balanced, healthful diet

losing weight if overweight or obese

OUTLOOK

Gas and heartburn can occur either together or separately. There is not always a link between the two. Often, making simple lifestyle changes can help a person prevent both gas and heartburn.

Gas is not typically a cause for concern. In most cases, it is a normal part of the digestive process.

People should also not worry about experiencing heartburn occasionally, especially after eating trigger foods. Often, OTC medications can treat infrequent heartburn.

However, frequent or regular heartburn or gas may indicate the presence of an underlying condition that may need treating. A doctor can help determine whether another condition is responsible for the symptoms.

The OTC medications that this article lists are available to purchase online.